Recovery Center helps former 'Idol' contestant rebuild life

February 8, 2012|DAVID DIPINO dddipino@tribune.com

A DUI arrest prevented singer Donnie Williams from achieving a top showing on the third season of "American Idol." But he didn't quit drinking, and it wasn't until he discovered the Delray Recovery Center almost five years later that he was able to turn his life around.

Williams flashes an infectious smile as he discusses his road to sobriety. It wasn't that long ago that the 28-year-old performer was mired in a depression stemming from his battle with alcoholism.

"I would drink to get up in the morning. I would drink at lunch. I would drink all day long, and when I was on 'American Idol' I was drinking," Williams said. "It got so bad that one time I looked at a beautiful framed picture of a flower and began to get depressed. I got my DUI, and know it ruined my life, so I continued to drink."

Williams drank for the next five years. The only things he had were his job as a manager at Target and the alcohol.

"I felt like I had a black cloud over me," he said.

Early last year, while living in northern California, Williams decided he was done. He began searching the Internet for a place that would help him with his addiction. He had only one prerequisite. Said Williams, "I wanted a place with palm trees. At first, when I looked up the Delray Recovery Center, I was looking for palm trees and thinking, 'This is going to be great, I'm going to get treatment in Southern California.'

"I gave them my insurance over the phone, and 10 minutes later they called back and said that my insurance would cover my treatment. Then they said, 'Let's get you an airline ticket.' It was at that point I realized that Delray Beach was not in California."

Last May, Williams arrived at the center, which is located at 140 NE Fourth Ave., Suite D.

Peter Walstrom, the center's chief financial officer, said insurance companies take addiction seriously. He said that insured patients often are only charged a minimal deductible.

"This is a legitimate disease," he said.

Walstrom helped Williams get an airplane ticket to South Florida and worked on his insurance coverage.

"A lot of policies cover in-network or out-of-network [care]," he said. "We provide quality service in a private facility. We hire the best staff and give them the best training. You're not going to get that kind of help anymore at a state-run facility, especially now with all of the budget cuts."

These days, Williams is working as a sales associate at Target. He's been with the company for eight years and is thinking about applying for the position of manager once again. He's also recorded some new music at Cruise Bogle All Day Productions, a local studio.

"I've written a couple songs on recovery," he said. "I do want to get back into [music]. I can't go back to 'American Idol,' but I'd possibly consider another show."